Return wasn’t Hardee’s fault

Special teams captain Justin Hardee took the blame after the Jets allowed an 84yard punt return for a gamesealing touchdown in their 10-3 loss to the Patriots last Sunday. Hardee’s mea culpa was despite the fact he was triple-teamed on the play and ended up getting blocked from behind on what looked like an obvious penalty.

“I respect that, and I appreciate that, and he dominated that game,” special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said. “He had three tackles and a forced fumble, and that’s why you have a leader like that. That’s me being 100 percent honest. He was getting triple-teamed damn near every play and for him to say that, I really appreciate a guy like that. I think that him saying that just shows you what kind of man he is. I thought he did a really good job in that game.”

The special teams unit has spent the last week analyzing what went wrong on Marcus Jones’ return with 5 seconds left in the game.

“I feel like it was a reality check,” Hardee said Friday. “But I don’t think too much changed. I feel like we played a good game on Sunday until that last play. Of course, when it’s time to make a play, that’s the time.”

The Jets activated rookie tackle Max Mitchell off injured reserve on Saturday and he is now in line to play Sunday against the Bears.

Mitchell, a fourth-round draft pick out of Louisiana, started the first four games of the season at right tackle. He injured his knee against the Steelers on Oct. 2.

With Mitchell healthy, he could start again at right tackle over Cedric Ogbuehi, who has been the starter there the past three games.

The Jets also elevated LB Chazz Surratt and DL Tanzel Smart for Sunday’s game.